Benjamin Nelson was a sociologist who explored the historical development and nature of civilizations. He held positions at University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, Stony Brook University and after 1966, New School for Social Research.
Nelson was a Guggenheim Fellow for the academic year 1945–1946. He was a founder member and vice president (1976–1977) of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the first America President (1971–1977) of the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations.
